U.S. patent application number 13/144971 was filed with the patent office on 2011-12-15 for solenoid actuated hydraulic valve for use in an automatic transmission.
This patent application is currently assigned to BORGWARNER INC.. Invention is credited to Michael E. Jones.
Application Number | 20110303861 13/144971 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42395961 |
Filed Date | 2011-12-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110303861 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jones; Michael E. |
December 15, 2011 |
SOLENOID ACTUATED HYDRAULIC VALVE FOR USE IN AN AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
Abstract
A hydraulic valve assembly (10) including a valve body (12)
having a valve bore (16) and valve member (18) movably supported in
the valve body (12) to control hydraulic pressure. The hydraulic
valve assembly also includes a solenoid assembly (14) including a
solenoid coil (56) supported in a housing (54). An armature (66) is
operatively connected to the valve member (18) and a pole piece
(68) is fixedly supported in the housing (54). The pole piece (68)
has a castellated shunt portion (70) that faces the armature (66).
The armature (66) is movable toward the pole piece (68) under the
influence of an electromagnetic flux generated by current flowing
through the solenoid coil (56) thereby controlling the valve
body.
Inventors: |
Jones; Michael E.; (Lake
Orion, MI) |
Assignee: |
BORGWARNER INC.
AUBURN HILLS
MI
|
Family ID: |
42395961 |
Appl. No.: |
13/144971 |
Filed: |
January 25, 2010 |
PCT Filed: |
January 25, 2010 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US10/21921 |
371 Date: |
August 29, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61147880 |
Jan 28, 2009 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
251/129.15 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16K 31/0613 20130101;
F16K 31/0675 20130101; H01F 7/081 20130101; H01F 2007/085 20130101;
H01F 7/1607 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
251/129.15 |
International
Class: |
F16K 31/02 20060101
F16K031/02 |
Claims
1. A hydraulic valve assembly (10) for use in a control module of
an automatic transmission, said assembly comprising: a valve body
(12) having a valve member (18) movably supported in said valve
body (10) to control hydraulic pressure; a solenoid assembly (14)
including a housing (54) and a solenoid coil (56) supported in said
housing (54), an armature (66) operatively connected to said valve
member (18) and a pole piece (68) fixedly supported in said housing
(54); said pole piece (68) having a castellated shunt portion (70)
facing said armature (66), said armature (66) being movable toward
said pole piece (68) under the influence of an electromagnetic flux
generated by current flowing through said solenoid coil (56)
thereby controlling said valve body.
2. The hydraulic valve assembly (10) as set forth in claim 1
wherein said pole piece (68) includes an annular base (72), said
castellated shunt portion (70) including a series of annularly
disposed castellations (74) disposed about said annular base
(72).
3. The hydraulic valve assembly (10) as set forth in claim 2
wherein said annularly disposed castellations include a pair of
sloping riser portions (76) terminating in a flat, planer tip
(78).
4. The hydraulic valve assembly (10) as set forth in claim 2
wherein said pole piece includes a shunt valley (80) disposed
between each of said annularly disposed castellations (74).
5. The hydraulic valve assembly (10) as set forth in claim 1
wherein said pole piece (68) includes a central aperture (82), said
valve member (18) including a push rod (44) extending through said
central aperture (82) and operatively engaged by said armature (66)
to move said valve member (18) between predetermined positions.
6. The hydraulic valve assembly (10) as set forth in claim 5
wherein said valve bore (16) includes an open end (50), and said
valve body (12) includes a plug (48) that serves to close said open
end (50) of said valve bore (16), a biasing member (46) is disposed
between said plug (48) and said valve member (18) to bias said
valve member (18) in a direction opposite of the electromagnetic
force generated by said solenoid assembly (14).
7. The hydraulic valve assembly (10) as set forth in claim 1
wherein said pole piece (68) is made of powdered metal.
8. A hydraulic valve assembly (10) for use in a control module of
an automatic transmission, said assembly comprising: a valve body
(12) having a valve bore (16) and a valve member (18) movably
supported in said valve body (10) between predetermined positions,
at least one pressure supply port (26) establishes fluid
communication between a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid and
said valve bore (16) and at least one pressure control port (28)
establishing fluid communication between said valve bore (16) and a
component to be controlled by said hydraulic valve; a solenoid
assembly (14) including a housing (54) and a solenoid coil (56)
supported in said housing (54), an armature (66) operatively
connected to said valve member (18) and a pole piece (68) fixedly
supported in said housing (54); said pole piece (68) having an
annular base (72), a central aperture (82) extending therethrough
and a castellated shunt portion (70) facing said armature (66),
said valve member (18) including a push rod (44) extending through
said central aperture (82) and operatively engaged by said armature
(66), said castellated shunt portion (70) including a series of
castellations (74) disposed about said annular base (72), wherein
said annularly disposed castellations include a pair of sloping
riser portions (76) terminating in a flat, planer tip (78), said
armature (66) being movable toward said pole piece (68) under the
influence of an electromagnetic flux generated by current flowing
through said solenoid coil (56) thereby moving said valve member
(18) through said push rod (44) between said predetermined
positions to thereby direct hydraulic fluid from said pressure
control port (26) through said valve bore (16) to said pressure
supply port (28).
9. The hydraulic valve assembly (10) as set forth in claim 8
wherein said pole piece includes a shunt valley (80) disposed
between each of said annularly disposed castellations (74).
10. The hydraulic valve assembly (10) as set forth in claim 8
wherein said valve bore (16) includes an open end (50), and said
valve body (12) includes a plug (48) that serves to close said open
end (50) of said valve bore (16), a biasing member (46) is disposed
between said plug (48) and said valve member (18) to bias said
valve member (18) in a direction opposite of the electromagnetic
force generated by said solenoid assembly (14).
11. The hydraulic valve assembly (10) as set forth in claim 8
wherein said pole piece (68) is made of powdered metal.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates, generally, to solenoid
actuated valves and, more specifically, to solenoid actuated
hydraulic valves having a pole piece with a castellated shunt for
use in automatic transmission control modules.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Generally speaking, land vehicles require a powertrain
consisting of three basic components. These components include a
power plant (such as an internal combustion engine), a power
transmission, and wheels. The power transmission component is
typically referred to simply as the "transmission." Engine torque
and speed are converted in the transmission in accordance with the
tractive-power demand of the vehicle.
[0005] Most automatic transmissions are controlled by hydraulically
actuating the various components within the transmission. Thus, it
is important to provide a stable hydraulic pressure for these
devices. To this end, a pump is employed to provide pressurized
hydraulic fluid for the control and actuation of the transmission.
In addition, the clutches and gear assemblies are lubricated and
cooled by a secondary flow of the hydraulic fluid. Typically, the
pump is mechanically driven by a power take-off from the engine.
Thus, the hydraulic pressure delivered from the pump increases as
the pump speed increases in response to an increase in engine
speed. Since hydraulically actuated devices respond in a
predetermined and precise manner for the given pressure applied to
actuate them, inaccurate control of the hydraulic pressure causes
inaccurate operation and control of the automatic transmission.
[0006] To address the changes in the hydraulic pressure delivered
by the pump as engine speed changes, automatic transmissions
typically include a hydraulic control module that employs a
plurality of hydraulic valves to control the flow of hydraulic
fluid through the transmission. Valves of the type commonly
employed in transmission control modules known in the related art
may include a valve member slidably disposed within a valve body
that moves back and forth over the various ports of the valve body
to direct and control the fluid flow between the ports. The valve
bodies are typically received in corresponding bores formed in the
control module.
[0007] Solenoids are well-known electromagnetic devices used to
convert electrical energy into mechanical energy and, particularly,
into short-stroke mechanical motion. As such, solenoids have been
employed to actuate valves in response to an electrical signal. For
example, it is known in the related art to employ a solenoid to
bias a valve member in one direction against the biasing force of a
return spring. When power to the solenoid is interrupted, the
return spring biases the valve member back to its first position.
The valve member is biased in one direction by the action of an
armature and in the other direction by the return spring. The
armature is driven toward a pole piece under the influence of an
electromagnetic flux induced by the current running through the
coil.
[0008] The pole piece has a shunt portion that faces the armature
and is designed to shape the magnetic flux so as to attract the
armature in the most efficient manner. To this end, the pole pieces
typically employed in hydraulic control valves used in automotive
transmissions often employ shunts that terminate in a tapered,
asymmetrical geometry with a fine annular point. Unfortunately,
shunts of this type require expensive precision machinery and are
relatively delicate. Thus, beyond the expense of manufacture, they
are also susceptible to shorter useful lives.
[0009] Thus, there remains a need in the art for a hydraulic valve
having a solenoid assembly with a robust pole piece that assists in
optimally shaping the magnetic flux so as to move the armature and
thus the valve member in a precise manner while lowering the cost
to manufacture the valve assembly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention overcomes the disadvantages in the
related art in a hydraulic valve assembly that may be employed in a
control module of an automatic transmission. The assembly includes
a valve body having a valve bore and a valve member movably
supported in the valve body between predetermined positions. At
least one pressure control port establishes fluid communication
between a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid and the valve bore.
In addition, at least one pressure supply port establishes fluid
communication with the valve bore and a component to be controlled
by the hydraulic valve. The hydraulic valve assembly also includes
a solenoid assembly including a housing and a solenoid coil
supported in the housing. An armature is operatively connected to
the valve member and a pole piece is fixedly supported in the
housing. The pole piece has a castellated shunt portion that faces
the armature. The armature is movable toward the pole piece under
the influence of an electromagnetic flux generated by a pulse of
current flowing through the solenoid coil thereby moving the valve
member between the predetermined positions to thereby direct
hydraulic fluid from the pressure control port through the valve
bore and to the pressure supply port.
[0011] The castellated shunt of the pole piece assists in optimally
shaping the magnetic flux so as to move the armature and thus the
valve member in a precise manner. In addition, because of its
robust structure, the cost of manufacturing the pole piece and the
valve assembly is reduced.
[0012] Other objects, features, and advantages of the present
invention will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better
understood after reading the subsequent description taken in
connection with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective elevational view of one
representative embodiment of the hydraulic valve assembly of the
present invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of one representative
embodiment of the hydraulic valve assembly of the present
invention; and
[0015] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one representative
embodiment of the pole piece having a castellated shunt of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] A hydraulic valve assembly of the present invention is
generally indicated at 10 in FIGS. 1 and 2, where like numerals are
used to designate like structure throughout the figures. The
hydraulic valve 10 is particularly useful as a component of a
control module of a hydraulic transmission. However, from the
description that follows, those having ordinary skill in the art
will appreciate that the hydraulic valve 10 of the present
invention is not limited for use solely in a hydraulic control
module. Thus, reference to such control modules in the description
that follows is only for purposes of context and to better describe
the features of the present invention. The hydraulic valve 10
includes a valve body, generally indicated at 12, and a solenoid
assembly, generally indicated at 14. Both of these components will
be described in greater detail below with reference to FIGS. 1 and
2.
[0017] More specifically, in one representative embodiment
illustrated in the figures, the valve body 12 may define a
cylindrical sleeve-like element that is adapted to be received in a
corresponding bore formed in a hydraulic control module (not
shown). The control module is in communication with a source of
pressurized fluid (such as a hydraulic pump) that is delivered to
the valve body 12 as is commonly known in the art. The valve body
12 may be fixedly retained in the corresponding bore in the control
module in any manner known in the related art. However, in the
representative example illustrated in this figure, the valve body
is designed to be slip-fit into the bore and retained by
interference between the outer circumference of the valve body and
the inner circumference of the corresponding bore. However, those
having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the valve
body may be mounted using fasteners to interconnect a flange of
valve body with the hydraulic module, as well as any number of
other ways commonly known in the art.
[0018] The valve body 12 includes a valve bore 16 and a valve
member, generally indicated at 18 that is movably supported in the
valve body 12 between predetermined positions as will be described
in greater detail below. The valve member 18 includes a plurality
of lands 20, 22 and 24 that are disposed in sealing engagement with
the valve bore 16 and employed to direct the flow of hydraulic
fluid through the valve body 12. A reduced diameter portion 21 may
extend between lands 20 and 22 while a reduced diameter portion 23
may extend between lands 22 and 24. The valve body 12 includes at
least one pressure supply port 26 that establishes fluid
communication between the source of pressurized hydraulic fluid and
the valve bore 16. The valve body 12 also includes at least one
pressure control port 28 that establishes fluid communication
between the valve bore 16 and a component to be controlled by the
hydraulic valve and the valve bore 16. These components may include
any number of various clutches, synchronizers, or other
hydraulically actuated components commonly found in a
transmission.
[0019] In the representative example illustrated here, the valve
body includes a pair of pressure control ports 28 that establish
fluid communication between the valve bore 16 and at least one
component to be controlled by the hydraulic valve. The valve body
12 may also include at least one exhaust port 30 for exhausting
pressurized fluid from the valve body when the hydraulic valve
assembly 10 is in its "off" position. The valve body 12 also
includes a feedback channel 32 that is formed generally opposite to
the pressure supply 26 and control 28 ports. The feedback channel
32 generally extends axially along the valve body 12 and is in
fluid communication with the valve bore 16 via ports 34, 36 and 38.
Ports 34 and 38 are disposed opposite to each other on the valve
body 12 and establish fluid communication with the valve bore 16
and control chambers 40, 42. The control chambers 40, 42 are
defined by the valve bore 16 and the lands 20 and 24 disposed at
opposite ends of the valve member 18. Port 36 provides
communication of pressurized fluid under certain operational
conditions from the valve bore 16 to opposed control chambers 40,
42 as a means of controlling movement of the valve member 18 in the
valve bore 16.
[0020] The valve member 18 includes a push rod 44 that is
mechanically influenced by the solenoid assembly 14 to move the
valve member 18 to the right as viewed in FIG. 2. A biasing member
46 is employed to bias the valve member 18 in a direction opposite
the movement induced by the solenoid assembly 14, as will be
described in greater detail below. In the representative embodiment
illustrated herein, the biasing member is a coiled return spring 46
disposed between the land 24 of the valve member 18 and a plug 48
that closes the otherwise open end 50 of the valve bore. From the
description that follows, those having ordinary skill in the art
will appreciate that the valve body 12, the valve member 18, as
well as all associated ports and other related structure can take a
number of different forms while still performing the function
required by the solenoid actuated hydraulic valve of the present
invention. Thus, the hydraulic valve of the present invention is in
no way limited to the specific structure of the valve body 12 and
all related components illustrated herein.
[0021] The valve body 12 is operatively mounted to the solenoid
assembly 14 in a manner that seals the solenoid assembly 14 from
contact with hydraulic fluid flowing through the valve body 12. To
this end, the pushrod 44 is received through an opening in a
diaphragm 52 that is fixedly clamped between the valve body 12 and
the solenoid assembly 14. The solenoid assembly 14 includes a
housing or "can" 54 and a solenoid coil 56 supported in the housing
54 about a bobbin 58. The solenoid coil 56 consists of wire wrapped
around the bobbin 58 and that generates an electromagnetic flux
when subjected to a current flowing through the coil 56 as is
commonly known in the art. To this end, the solenoid assembly 14 is
in communication with a source of electrical power via the
connector assembly 60 shown in FIG. 1.
[0022] A flux tube 62 is fixedly mounted in the housing 54 and
defines an inner space 64. An armature 66 is movably supported in
the space 64 defined by the flux tube 62 under the influence of the
electromagnetic flux as will be described in greater detail below.
The armature 66 may also include a vent port 67 that allows the
armature 66 to move reciprocally within the space 64 defined by the
flux tube 62. The solenoid assembly 14 also includes a pole piece,
generally indicated at 68, that is fixedly supported in the housing
54 and disposed opposite the armature 66. As best shown in FIG. 3,
the pole piece 68 has a castellated shunt portion, generally
indicated at 70 that faces the armature 66 as shown in FIG. 2. The
armature 66 is movable toward the pole piece 18 under the influence
of the electromagnetic flux generated by a pulse of current flowing
through the solenoid coil 56. In turn, the armature 66 acts on the
valve member 18 through the pushrod 44 to move the valve member 18
between predetermined positions. Pressurized hydraulic fluid flows
through the pressure supply port 26, past lands 20, 22 or 24,
through the valve bore 16 and out the pressure control ports 28 or
exhaust port 30 as dictated by the position of the valve member 18
in the valve bore that is moved in response to the action of the
solenoid assembly 14 and the return biasing member 46. Pressurized
hydraulic fluid also flows through the feedback channel 32 to
balance the pressure on either side of the valve member 18. In this
way, the hydraulic valve assembly 10 is controlled to direct
hydraulic fluid from the pressure supply port 26 through the valve
bore 16 and to the pressure control ports 28 or exhaust port 30 as
the need arises.
[0023] With particular reference to FIG. 3, the pole piece 68
includes an annular base 72. The castellated shunt portion 70
includes a series of annularly disposed castellations, generally
indicated at 74, that are disposed about the annular base 72. More
specifically, each of the annularly disposed castellations 74
include a pair of sloping riser portions 76 that terminate in a
flat planer top portion 78. However, those having ordinary skill in
the art will appreciate that the castellations 74 may define other
geometric configurations and are not limited to a pair of sloping
riser portions 76 that terminate in a flat planer top portion 78.
For example, the castellations 74 may include a pair axially
extending sidewalls that terminate in a flat planer top portion,
where the top portion extends between the axially extending
sidewalls. Similarly, the castellations 74 may be defined by other
geometric surfaces without departing from the scope of the present
invention.
[0024] The pole piece 68 also includes a shunt valley 80 disposed
between each of the annularly disposed castellations 74. In the
embodiment illustrated herein, the pole piece 68 includes a central
aperture 82 that is adapted to accommodate a portion of the pushrod
44 of the valve member 18. In one embodiment, the pole piece 68 is
made of powdered metal. However, those having ordinary skill in the
art will appreciate that the pole piece 68 may be manufactured from
any suitable material. The annularly disposed castellations 74
assist in optimally shaping the magnetic flux so as to move the
armature 66 and thus the valve member 18 in a precise manner. In
addition, and because the annularly disposed castellations
terminate in a flat, planer top portion 78, the pole piece 68 is
more robust than pole pieces commonly known in the related art that
employ an asymmetrical geometry that terminates in a fine annular
point. In this way, the pole piece of the present invention enjoys
lower cost of manufacture than the valve assemblies known in the
related art.
[0025] The invention has been described in an illustrative manner.
It is to be understood that the terminology that has been used is
intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of
limitation. Many modifications and variations of the invention are
possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore, within the
scope of the claims, the invention may be practiced other than as
specifically described.
* * * * *